UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team is set for its first home and first Empire 8 Conference matchup against the Hartwick College Hawks in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 29. First pitch of game one from Greenman Softball field is set for 1pm, with game two to begin around 3pm. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video can be found here, and live stats can be found here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team split its final day of the team's Sunshine State slate last Friday afternoon. The team fell in its first game against Saint Mary's by a score of 14-6 before taking a come from behind win against Lasell, 10-9. Leading the way for the Pioneers in game one was Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College), Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), and Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack), who each went 2-3 with Beleza driving in two RBIs. Sanford, Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey), and Lily Mazur (Rome, NY/Westmoreland) each brought in an RBI, with Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) and Cassidi Mushenski (Hadley, MA/Hopkins Academy) each recording a hit. Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) got the starting nod, dealing two innings, allowing six runs on three hits. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) came in relief, allowing five runs on four hits, while Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) came in to deal the final two innings, allowing three runs on three hits. In game two, the Pioneers rallied back from a six-run deficit to earn a thrilling 10-9 victory over Lasell University. Lehane led the offensive charge, going 3-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Mazur finished 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Murray added two RBIs, while Sanford contributed two hits, two runs, and an RBI. Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) got the start in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings before Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) took over in relief. Porter earned her first collegiate win, throwing 3.2 innings with four strikeouts while allowing just two hits and no earned runs.
 
Spring Break Recap: The Pioneers completed the spring break trip going 5-5, with one full day of wins, and a trio of splits. At the plate, the Pioneers combined for a team batting average of .267. In 262 total at-bats, the Pioneers managed to put bat to ball 70 times, resulting in 51 runs with 43 RBIs. Utica has been patient at the plate, drawing 46 walks so far this season, a mark good enough for the top spot on the conference leaderboard. As a team, the Pioneers have been able to reach base over 38 percent of the time, with a total of 86 taken bases. 
 
Power Hitters: The Pioneer bats have been hot to begin the season, with Brooke Beleza's (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) senior campaign beginning in dominant fashion, appearing in all 10 games for the Pioneers last week. In 33 at bats, Beleza managed to average .364 with five runs on 12 hits and five RBIs. Beleza also led the Pioneers with three doubles. Beleza was also patient at the plate, managing to draw three walks. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) has also been a force inside the batter's box, with eight hits, two being doubles, and five RBIs. Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) has also been one for contact, knocking six hits with six runs, a double, and seven RBIs. Freshman Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) has made her impact quickly, as the outfielder nailed her first career home run on her first career hit against Widener. Paul was able to bring in five runs on five hits and a team leading seven RBIs. 
 
Pitching Prowess: Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) was a standout for the Pioneers in the circle, making six appearances in 10 games last week, with three starts. Murray sported a 1-2 record with two complete games and worked her way to a save. Murray posted a 4.40 ERA over her 20.2 innings pitched. In her 20 innings, Murray earned 13 runs, with 10 total strikeouts. Freshmen Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) and Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) have each made their impact in the circle, each securing their first career wins during the break. Porter appeared in four games, posting a 4.06 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP in 10.1 innings pitched. In her 10 innings, Porter only earned six runs, with 10 strikeouts, and allowed the lowest batting average of the Pioneer pitching staff to opponents at .261. Lehane appeared in three games, two of which being starts, posting a 3.36 ERA ,with four strikeouts over eight innings.
 
A Look at Hartwick: The Hartwick College Hawks have posted a 4-6 record so far this season. As a team, the Hawks have averaged .238 at the plate, with 28 runs coming in off of 58 hits. 25 out of those 28 runs have been RBIs. Samantha Moore leads the Hawks at the plate this season, batting .526 across seven of the 10 games. Moore leads the team in hits with 10, and RBIs with seven. Moore has been a power hitter as well, with two home runs this season. Anna Klein has started in nine of ten games for the Hawks this season, batting .333. In Klein's 24 at bats, Klein has registered eight hits, with a team leading four doubles. Emily Holladay has played in all 10 games for the Hawks and leads the team in runs with seven, with nine hits. Klein, also a pitcher, has started five games in the circle for Hartwick, logging a 2.51 ERA, giving up 25 hits and 16 runs, with 12 strikeouts. Kylee Cucci has appeared in seven games, working through two complete games, posting a 3.68 ERA, with 13 strikeouts.
 
Up Next: The team remains home to host nearby Hamilton College in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 1. First pitch of game one from Greenman Softball Field is set for 3:30pm, with game two to follow at 5:30pm.